Remembering Our Wedding

Today I celebrate my FOUR YEAR wedding anniversary! I can't even believe it!  It seems like just yesterday Dave and I met at SMU ( in reality it was almost 9 years ago!).  We didn't start dating until our senior year, but once we did, we knew we had something special!

Its not often I whip out our wedding photo album, but when our anniversary comes around I always love to reminisce about our magical day!  It truly was such a great time celebrating with our family and friends!  I remember how nervous I was- not about the actual wedding, but about the horrible wildfires that were literally burning down the mountains behind our reception site.  The day before the wedding, ash was "raining" from the sky...it was like a scene from Dante's Peak (yes I made that reference).  Our wedding planner told us we might have to move the reception indoors, which in my mind would have "ruined" everything! Luckily for us, the ash stopped falling the day of the wedding, and we were able to keep it outside! 

I have SO many amazing pictures on my computer, but I thought I would post a few of my favorites! Our wedding photographer, Greg Bumatay, was incredible! I love how he is able to really capture the "feel" of the wedding.  His pictures have such a photo-journalistic style, which is why we chose him!

We also had the BEST florist/wedding planner- Trisha! She was so sweet and really transformed the venue into a Tuscan villa! 

Venue: The Athenaeum https://www.athenaeumcaltech.com/

Wedding Planning/Special Event Design:  Trisha Haner at Hidden Garden  http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/About-Us.aspx

Photographer: Greg Bumatay http://bumataystudio.com/

Cake: Rosebud Cakes http://rosebudcakes.com/wordpress/

Crazy for Coral!

Happy September 1st! I just love this month for SOOO many reasons.  First, I love the fact that the weather is (hopefully) starting to cool down!  I bought a few pairs of boots this summer during the Nordstrom sale and I cannot wait to put them to good use!  Second, September is the month of celebrations.  Now, I know you probably aren't going to believe me, but I am going to tell you ALL of the things I celebrate in September...
Our wedding anniversary (4 years on the 5th), Dave's Birthday, my Birthday, my parents wedding anniversary, Dave's parents wedding anniversary,and three girlfriends' Birthdays!  Dave and I joke that when we have a kid, he/she will probably be born in September! Needless to say, September is a very busy month for us!
Now...back to the fashion! ha-ha!  Even though it is still so hot and humid, the rain last night brought about a tiny cold front!  You know what that means....BOOT TIME!!!!  I love the color of these boots and the price is unbeatable!  I also love the look of tan with coral and turquoise!  It kind of gives me a southwestern feel!  The jeans I am wearing are my new FAVORITE skinny jean! When my mother-in-law came to visit me in Minnesota this summer, we went on a shopping trip and she got me two pairs! The fit is great, the color is ideal, and they are so comfy!

I usually don't wear a TON of silver jewelry, but I do have a few pieces a LOVE!  These include an old (vintage as I call it) tiffany charm bracelet, a Yurman link bracelet and this awesome cross ring my sister-in-law give me one Christmas (which is a mix of silver, gold, and diamonds-oh my!).
However, what is extra special about the Tiffany bracelet is that it is not like the typical Tiffany heart...mine is a giant oversized version!  The date etched in the back is 9.25.02 which means I received it as a Sweet Sixteen birthday gift!  I can't believe I have had it for almost 11 years!  I tried seeing if they still sell the oversized version, but it looks like it was only sold for a limited time!  You can find it pre-owned (obviously) on ebay of you are into it!

P.S. If this shirt looks familiar it is because its the shirt version of the baby blue dress I wore to the baby shower! Once I find something I like, I can't help but find similar items!

What I'm Wearing: bow blouse// jeans// I got the necklace at Charming Charlie, but here are some similar styles here//here// here (love this one!!!)  My boots are old, but similar here// here// bag// sunglasses

La Belle Vie

In honor of our favorite dog "Belle" I HAD to get this shirt! Even if our dog's name wasn't Belle, I still think its cute! I love the stripes and the cute little bow!  Since its still a million degrees in Indiana, I am still wearing shorts (which are $25!!) ! I am counting down the days to fall, so I can whip out the new boots I bought during the Nordstrom anniversary sale!

What I'm Wearing: shorts// belle top// Tory Burch flats (old) similar here or here// link bracelet// watch//name tag bracelet// sunnies//

Summertime Blues

Hello again...I am back from the "dead"!  I honestly didn't realize how long it had been since my last post until I started getting texts and messages from my friends saying "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BLOG?!"  I should probably start off by saying that I spent the summer in Minneapolis, where Dave had an internship at Target (our new favorite store BTW!)  During the MBA "school year" Dave's schedule is much more flexible, so we have a lot of time for my pictures! However, the summer schedule was so hectic, there was always some factor getting in the way of the blog! But fear not...the blog is BACK (upon our arrival in Bloomington!)

Now that I got THAT off my chest, last night Dave and I went to meet some friends for dinner at Upland Brewery!  It is still SOOO hot in Indiana, so I thought I would wear my white shorts and a breezy blouse!  College towns are SO casual, that sometimes I feel silly dressing up for dinner (very different from my days @ SMU!).  Anyway, my favorite part of this outfit is my glitter sandals! They were SUCH a steal!!  They retail for around $16.99, but with my Target RedCard and Dave's "employee discount" I got them for $11.00! You honestly can't beat that! Not to mention they are an almost identical replica of the Vera Wang!!  On a side note, I am kind of obsessed with this "door knocker" Bulgari purse as I call it! Its a really cool grey/green/blue/silver metallic that really pics up the color of whatever you are wearing! The hardware is rose gold (which I am obsessed with). Even though it is a few seasons old, I like bringing it back!  Its not available "new" but you can always look around online!

What I'm Wearing: On Sale- J Crew shorts// teal top similar and CHEAP-here// Bulgari Bag//

Recent Beauty Purchases!

The other day I was on the hunt for a new concealer, and I ended up with a few more fabulous products I thought I would share with you!  From left to right:

This Lip Butter from Nivea is truly delicious.  I picked it up as an "impulse buy" and I am glad I did! The scent is divine- think frosted vanilla cupcakes fresh out of the oven! It is soooo smooth and silky too! and at $2.99 its a real steal!

This Tarte Concealer is AMAZING! I got the color light/medium and it is  FULL coverage (perfect for under eye darkness).  I am always looking for a good heavy duty concealer for my under eyes.  Ever since I was a kid, I have always had dark purple circles-UNFAIR! I really like this particular concealer because it contains vitamin C and Maracuja oil which helps soothe the eyes.

As you all know I have been doing a TON of traveling, and unfortunately it is reeking havoc on my skin!  I have some broken out areas and I really wanted to invest in a hight quality acne treatment.  After doing lots of research I settled with La Roche Possay's Effaclar Duo.  Effaclar DUO by La Roche Posay is a dual-action, daily treatment for moderate to severe acne-prone skin. Mixed blackheads and whiteheads with inflamed breakouts. Clinically proven to reduce acne as effectively as the leading acne prescription.  I will let you know how it works- I have HIGH HOPES!

Last, but not least, is Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean dual action cleanser.  I have been using Estee Lauder perfectly clean (face wash) for years now.  However, it was recently discontinued and replaced with this 2 in 1! When I went to the counter and they told me it was discontinued, I nearly had a heart attack.  This is seriously the only cleanser that doesn't make my skin break out, and I was FREAKING OUT!  Anyway, the sales lady suggested the "replacement" and I thought I would give it a go.  The scent is different from the original, but the texture seems about the same.  It does a great job at removing ALL of my makeup and I can also use it as a mask- I guess that is cool? ha-ha the verdict is still out! 

Corporate Housing Mini-Makeover!

As some of you know, Dave is working at Target's corporate headquarters this summer.  So that meant a move to Minneapolis, MN!  Target provides its interns with fully furnished housing for the summer, which is really great!  All Dave and I had to do was pack our clothes and move in!

However, in the packing process, I really didn't even think about the personal items I should bring to make the place feel more like home.  For whatever reason, I was thinking corporate housing would be more like a hotel- pictures on the walls, movie channels, plush robes and slippers (you get the picture).  But in reality, it is more like glorified dorm living.  Don't get me wrong- I am not trying to sound ungrateful! But when you have an idea in your mind and you build it up to be something amazing, and then it isn't what your fabulous mind created, you will always be disappointed- I call this the "female dilemma"

Anyway, the place definitely comes with the essentials, and it is located in a great part of town- literally 3 walking blocks from the Target offices.  We are also across the street from some great restaraunts and entertainment (I can't wait to try the Butcher & The Boar) and CVS is right below us (I love drug store shopping).  Also, the living room furniture is VERY comfortable- Dave is really excited about the
Lay Z Boy (an item prohibited from our current living room and deemed suitable for "man cave only")

So with all that said,  The first thing I decided to do was re-arrange the furniture to give the space a more open feeling.  I hate walking into a room to the back of giant chair! Then I took a little trip to my old friend IKEA!  Of course, I didn't want to break the bank, considering we will only be living here for 10 weeks, but I did feel it necessary to add some touches that didn't make the place seem so "corporate."  The biggest "need" on my list was a DESK!! How am I supposed to keep this blog going with out a place to work! I actually find it kind of ironic that corporate housing wouldn't have a place to do work! ha- ha

The Shopping List 

LINMON Desk top                             $10.99
ADILS Desk legs                                $3.50 x 4

MARIT Table runner                          $6.99

KORT Butterfly art card (5 pack)         $5.00

VARLIKT Lilac candy dish                 $4.99

SOARE Water hyacinth place mat        $3.99 x 2

POLARVIDE Purple throw                  $3.99

DOKUMENT pencil cup 2-pack           $2.99

NYTTJA Frame, white :                       $1.99

Grand Total:                                        $58.92   

I really wanted to keep my spending to under $50.00, but I was $8.92 over budget! 

I hope you all enjoyed my design makeover for under $60.00 I would like to say I am done with the decorating, but I still need a full length mirror! ;) Oh P.S. if you like those geometric file folders they are from Target (had to represent) here! Also, the beautiful glass jar candle is here- they come in all sorts of jar styles- I happen to LOVE the mercury glass!